What club do you currently play for?
KFC Queensland Breakers

How old were you when you started playing water polo and which club did you first play for?   
I was 13 when I first started waterpolo and played for my high school club – Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School.

What’s your highlight to date in water polo?
That’s a difficult one. Playing at the World Championships in Melbourne was a highlight because it was great to play in front of a home crowd. The crowd at the gold medal match was particularly awesome. Probably my ultimate highlight so far though is winning a gold medal at the World Cup in Tianjin, China in 2006. The team played really well right through the tournament (even Dumpa was happy!) and we beat Italy comprehensively in the final.

How many years have you been playing top level water polo for?
I have been playing senior water polo since 2005 so 3 years.

What are your interests outside of the pool?
I love heading to the beach. I plan to learn how to surf but that has been on the list for a while now so we’ll see if it ever gets up and running! I enjoy a good read and go through a fair number of books. I’m also thinking about learning a language this year – maybe Italian or French.

What do you do in your down time?
As above – head to the Sunshine coast and the beach in any time we have off. And head out with friends – whether for breakfast, coffee, or other. I also enjoy a good shop, read and a sleep.

You have featured in many magazines lately; explain how that all came about?
Ha ha…I think that’s a bit exaggerated!! Only one actually!
It just came about through ESP – a company who were in charge of promoting the men’s and women’s water polo teams in the lead up to the 2007 Melbourne World Champs. They asked me to do a segment with Alpha.

Explain the feeling of representing your country at international level!
It’s an amazing feeling. I get tingles every time wearing the green and gold robe and walking out with my 12 other team-mates.  There’s an immense feeling of pride not many people get to experience to stand by your team-mates, sing the national anthem and play water polo for your country. Nothing can beat it.

You currently study law, how do you balance the work load of study with water polo?
I just graduated from Science/ Law 2 weeks ago after a long 7 years at uni! I found it was good to balance study and waterpolo because it forces you to manage your time effectively and gives you a focus outside water polo. I tried to be really organised and plan assessment around upcoming trips or camps. It also helped to have some fantastic note-takers at uni who would send me through the lecture notes.

What would your words of inspiration be to up and coming juniors here in Aus?
If you have a dream, do every possible thing that you can do to get there so at the end of the day you know there was nothing else you could have done. What’s more – enjoy it.

Who would you rate as the,” best player you have ever played against/with?”   
Sofia Kunukh from Russia – very skilful player with a great all round game.

How long do you see yourself playing water polo for ?   
I still think I have a fair bit of improvement to go in my game so I would like to make sure I finished when there was no improving to do. But who knows!

Who was your inspiration to achieving so much in water polo so far?
Difficult one. Definitely no one person - famiy, friends, team-mates and other sporting role models have helped along the way. In particular, my Mum and Dad have played a huge role in where I am today. They are behind me no matter what and provide so much support, encouragement and advice. I couldn't have done it without them. My ultimate inspiration though is the dream of representing my country at the Olympics and winning a gold medal. 

Olympics are not too far away, what’s your preparation schedule like leading up to the Games?
Very busy and exciting! I’m recovering from injury so my immediate goal is to get back into the mix of things. The USA team is coming over in January so there are 2 camps in Perth and Sydney. Then a tour to Greece and Italy in late January. The squad will be in Australia for the rest of national league. Past April there are more overseas trips and camps so not too much time in Australia.